THE NORTHERN SHORE. 113 



reflect the flags of all nations; and a happy, 

 prosperous people receiving with thankfulness 

 what prodigal Nature bestows for their use, 

 will disperse her treasures over every part of 

 the world. 



A fresh and favourable wind brought us, 

 without much delay from the o})posing ebb- 

 tide, to the northern shore. We left the com- 

 mon embouchure of its two principal rivers, 

 distinguished by the steepness of their banks to 

 the right, and rowing up the narrow channel 

 which has formed itself through the marsh 

 land, reached our landing-place just as the sun's 

 disk touched the blue summits of the mountains 

 in the west. 



We were still distant a good nautical mile 

 from the mission of St. Gabriel, which peeped 

 from amongst the foliage of its ancient oaks. 

 Many horses belonging to the mission were 

 grazing on a beautiful meadow by the w^ater- 

 side, in perfect harmony with a herd of small 

 deer, which are very numerous in this country. 

 Our dragoons, who had no inclination for a 

 long walk, took their lassos in hand, and soon 

 caught us as many horses as we wanted. We 



